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Karfi, meaning “big nail” in Greek, is the mountain with the last of the Minoan settlements. The peak of Karfi was originally a sanctuary like Maza. When the Dorians migrated to Crete, true Minoans (Eteocretans) retreated to this mountain and in retreat built a settlement on its slopes. J. D. S. Pendlebury and the British Archaeology School extensively excavated the ruins in the 1930s. From their high villages the Minoans had a view of the Cretan Sea, the valley of Pediada, and the plateau of Lassithi. Although it is difficult to make out the buildings and streets of the site you will have a magnificent view of Iraklion, the Lassithi Plateau, and the Dikte Mountains. The concrete post at the top marks the site. The settlement stretched between the two peaks and over the northeast slope of Karfi. The Minoan civilization survived intact here for about 400 years after the occupation of Knossos. Several clay religious figurines have been found there including the cylindrical skirted goddesses with their hands raised in a prayer position that are now displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Iraklion (Room 11).